Blurb:

After his parents kicked him out for being gay, Marc Villegas lived on the streets before getting a second chance. Now he’s giving back by working at a shelter for LGBT teenagers—because helping fight their demons keeps his own at bay. Including his infatuation with the former best friend he’s sure is straight.

Anthony Romano hasn’t seen Marc since Marc left home eight years ago. In his confidant’s absence, Anthony turned to heroin. Now at rock bottom, he has an offer from Marc to help him get clean. Detox is hard and ugly, but not as hard as admitting the truth: he’s in love with Marc. Always has been.

Marc swore he’d never date an addict, but he never dreamed the one in question would be the man he’s always wanted to be with. As the two explore their feelings for each other, Marc faces a difficult choice. Say yes, and it could cost him his sobriety; say no, and it could cost him his heart.

My View:

There are only two books in this series so far, there is scope for many more but this is my favourite for the time being.

This was pretty raw and intense for the most part. It was a story of hope for both the MC’s who had both been dealt a pretty shitty hand in life which was then exacerbated by addiction amongst other things.

We met Marc in book one. He is Tate’s best friend and partner in an LGBT homeless shelter for kids. That shelter and the kids it helps mean everything to Marc – if something similar had been available when his family kicked him out for being gay then his life may have been very different. There wasn’t a shelter available and Marc spent time living on the street and doing what he had to do to feed an addiction that was slowly killing him. His story is sad and harsh but it is also very relevant – this stuff happens, this stuff is still happening and it’s not ok.

Before Marc’s parents kicked him out he was living a pretty regular life. His best friend Anthony was always at his side and if one was in trouble the other was too. Anthony was the first person Marc came out to and it didn’t change their friendship – they really were a solid pair. Anthony tried to help Marc when he ended up on the streets but circumstances prevented it and saw Anthony’s family moving to a new area.

They don’t see each other for eight years…

Anthony was never entirely honest with Marc as a teenager and when his best friend is ripped from his life and just disappears Anthony’s life implodes. Gone are the chances of scholarships, gone are the hours playing sports and in their place is addiction. Anthony has tried to get clean, he’s been to rehab, he’s sorry for the hurt he’s caused his family but he is back living on the streets just one or two highs from death and that’s when Marc finds him and brings him home.

Marc and Anthony back together trying to rebuild a friendship that used to mean everything to both of them means a walk down Honesty Avenue and it’s not pretty. Both are sitting on pretty big secrets, things they have never told another living soul and have consequences that they have to live with daily. There is no magic cure here, the story unfolds slowly as does the romance. The healing takes time and is painful but if they can hang on it will all be worth it.

The author is building a great cast of characters in this series and I have my fingers crossed that we will get Will’s story soon.

Links

I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with the eARC of this title in exchange for my honest opinion.

Farewell Giveaway
I have a number of paperbacks, most of which are signed, to giveaway. Over the between now (11 Mar 2017) and 31 Mar 2017, every comment on the blog (this post and all other new posts), will be entered to win 1 of these paperbacks. There are also some misc swag items, so there will be a few packs of these to give away as well.

Thank you so much for your support over the last 4 years. Prism will be closing its doors on 1 April 2017. All content will remain available, but no new content will appear after 31 Mar 2017. As such all request forms have been turned off. Again Thank you,